These 10 JRPGs Were WAY Ahead of Their Time!

The classics are classics for a reason. They laid the groundwork for the great games that we're experiencing today. And some of them did SUCH a good job of foreseeing the future that it took quite a long time before other games caught on to their brilliance and started emulating them. These are 10 JRPGs that I think were drastically ahead of their time, setting up new storytelling techniques and gameplay systems that future games would one day turn to for inspiration. Did I pick the ones you would have? If not, let me know your choices down in the comments! Check out our JRPG Podcast, The JRPG Pursuit! New episodes every Wednesday, where we cover a multitude of topics related to our favorite hobby. @JRPG_Pursuit Please consider supporting me with a membership on YouTube! Members get access to an exclusive Discord group, so come hang out with us! Or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! - https://ko-fi.com/justthegems Twitter: www.x.com/_justthegems Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/justthegems.net Threads/Instagram: _justthegems Original music ©2023-2025 by me, all rights reserved. Affiliate links for my desk and recording setup: Chair: Herman Miller Aeron https://amzn.to/41FxDgR Headrest: Ergoking https://amzn.to/3QTbEgd Armrests: Aloudy https://amzn.to/4gV8ZNt Desk Ottoman w/ Storage Linmagco https://amzn.to/4bfwkbk Mouse: Logitech M720 Triathlon https://amzn.to/437V8jt Keyboard: Cherry Stream Wireless https://amzn.to/4kgrcYA Audio Interface: Vocaster One https://amzn.to/41vHJAE Headset: Gtheos 2.4GHz Wireless https://amzn.to/3D9GpKn Elgato Stream Deck Neo Elgato https://amzn.to/43aVEgF Desk cable management: Delamu https://amzn.to/3CUiXAV Lighting Kit: Neewer https://amzn.to/3DhYIwV Podcasting/Vlogging Cam: Osmo Pocket 3 https://amzn.to/3XfwhGI Wireless Microphone: RODE Wireless ME https://amzn.to/4hRiQoS Desktop USB Hub: WENTER https://amzn.to/4icobXE Teleprompter: Desview https://amzn.to/4hWX2s4 Teleprompter Page Turner: Starfavor https://amzn.to/4gVh2cX 00:00 Intro 00:39 Persona 3 03:06 Xenogears 05:44 Phantasy Star IV 08:07 Chrono Trigger 10:10 Final Fantasy Tactics 11:55 Grandia 13:58 The World Ends With You 15:56 Nier 17:53 Earthbound 19:32 Dragon Quest V 20:56 Wrap-up